"Yuanzai" quadruped robot and "Xiao Dong" humanoid robot. [Photo/WeChat account: whkfq]
Zhang Zhenlin, chief engineer of intelligent technology at Dongfeng Motor's R&D Institute, recently returned to Wuhan from Beijing, accompanied by two unique "employees": the humanoid robot "Xiaodong" and the quadruped robot "Yuanzai".
These robots were showcased at the 2026 World Robot Conference, which opened on Aug 19 in Beijing, and their next destination is the factories and 4S stores of Dongfeng's sub-brands, Voyah and M-Hero.
"Our robots need to operate in real-world environments," Zhang said. Dongfeng's robots are currently focused on automotive production and marketing scenarios and are undergoing upgrades, with completion expected by the end of the year.
"Xiaodong" and its counterpart, "Robot No 2", were introduced at the institute’s showroom a year ago, when they were preparing for practical training on smart factory production lines, with formal deployment anticipated this year.
Zhang emphasizes that the automotive and robotics industries share foundational similarities, making the transition into robotics a natural progression for car companies rather than a cross-industry leap.
Dongfeng applies its advances in automotive intelligence by transferring automotive-grade chips, smart computing platforms, end-to-end algorithms, and world models to robots.
Dongfeng is also making significant advances in core joint modules, with its robotics team showcasing two linear joint modules developed in-house. These modules integrate frameless motors, planetary roller screws, drivers, encoders, and force sensing units, achieving a peak thrust of 8,500 newtons and a peak speed of 300 millimeters per second.
